Aged Garlic Extract and One of the Constituent, (+)-(2S,3R)-Dehydrodiconiferyl Alcohol, Inhibits Alkaline Phosphatase Activity Induced by Inflammation Factors in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Previous clinical study showed that aged garlic extract (AGE) has a preventive effect of vascular calcification in patients with coronary artery diseases. It has been reported that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and inflammatory cells including macrophages and lymphocytes migrate to sub-intimal region where atherosclerotic plaques are formed, and VSMC can differentiate into osteoblast-like cells, which are represented by the induction of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). We found that primary human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC) showed the increased ALP activity, when cultured in the medium containing ascorbic acid, β-glycerophosphate, dexamethasone (IM), and supplemented with conditioned medium from macrophages (MCM). Then we tested the effect of AGE subdivided fractions and several compounds found in AGE, and then found that ((+)-(2S,3R)-Dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, a dilignol compound existed in hydrophobic fraction of AGE, inhibited ALP activity in HCASMC.

Aged Garlic Extract Reduces ROS Production and Cell Death Induced by 6-Hydroxydopamine through Activation of the Nrf2-ARE Pathway in SH-SY5Y Cells

Many degenerative or pathological processes, such as aging, cancer and coronary heart disease, are related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and radical-mediated reactions. We examined the effectiveness of aged garlic extract (AGE), a garlic preparation rich in water-soluble cysteinyl moieties, for protection of cells from ROS produced by 6-hydroxy-dopamine (6-OHDA) using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Concomitant treatment of cells with AGE (2 and 4 mg/ml) showed the dose-dependent protective effect on the cell death induced by 6-OHDA. In addition, the AGE treatment significantly suppressed the increase of ROS generation by 6-OHDA. Furthermore, the protective effect of AGE was accompanied by activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway and the increase of mRNAs of heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1. These two enzymes are important in the cellular antioxidant system. These results indicated that AGE protected cells from ROS damage by not only capturing ROS directly but also activating the cellular antioxidant system by stimulating antioxidant gene expression via the Nrf2-ARE pathway. The present study suggested that AGE may be useful for prevention and treatment of cell damage caused by ROS.

Enhancing Effect of Aged Garlic Extract on Induction of Morphological Differentiation with Neurite Outgrowth in NGF-treated PC12 Cells

Background: We have been searching effective compounds that can stimulate the growth and differentiation of nerve cells. We found previously that fulleren derivatives enhanced induction of morphological differentiation with neurite outgrowth in nerve growth factor (NGF)-treated PC12 cells. In the course of our further search for other effective compounds, we found the aged garlic extract (AGE) has the activity similar to fulleren. Methods: PC12 cells were used to examine the effectiveness of test compound. Results: AGE enhanced the stimulating effect of NGF to induce morphological differentiation with neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. In order to examine the active constituents of AGE, it was fractionated into several components. The activity was mainly localized in the F1 fraction that contains low molecular weight polar compounds. S-Allymercaptocysteine (SAMC) is one of the sulfur components of AGE present in F1 fraction and found to exhibit the enhancing effect similar to AGE. Conclusion: AGE had the ability to induce morphological differentiation with neurite outgrowth in NGF-treated PC12 cell and SAMC was one of its active constituents.

Influence of Polyphenolic Contents on the Antioxidant Properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa Extract (HSE), Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) and Garlic Tablet (GT) in Vitro

This study compared the antioxidant properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract (HSE), commercial aged garlic extract (AGE, Kyolic) and garlic tablet (GT). The results indicate that HSE, AGE and GT are effective antioxidant as xanthine/xanthine oxidase generated superoxide ions are significantly inhibited in the presence of 20% (v/v) diethyl ether extract of HSE, AGE and GT by 100%, 66.39% and 18.61% respectively, while uric acid production is not affected byAGEand GT. However, at 2.5% and 5.0% (v/v) reaction volumes,HSEsignificantly inhibits uric acid production by 9.5% and 33.0% respectively, and this suggests that components ofHSEinhibit xanthine oxidase activity while AGE and GT scavenge superoxide. In addition, it is also found that the three extracts scavenge ABTS radical cations in dose-dependent manner. In all cell free assays, HSE is found to be more effective as an antioxidant when compared with AGE and GT under the same experimental conditions. Chromatographic and colorimetric analyses suggest thatHSEhas numerous different types of phenolic compounds with higher amount of phenolic compounds (14.9 mg/g) when compared withAGE(2.8 mg/g) and GT (3.6 mg/g) catechin equivalent respectively. Therefore, the effectiveness of antioxidant activities of these three extracts may be related to their phenolic content.

Effects of Root Extracts from <i>Panax ginseng</i>C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) of Different Ages on K562 Cells

It is well accepted in China that elder ginsengs have more bioactivity and value than younger ones. However, there is little research about the comparison of beneficial effects of ginsengs with different ages. In this study, ginseng root extracts (GRE) were extracted from ginsengs of 5, 8, 12, 14, and 16 years old, respectively, using 55% ethanol and their effects on human leukemic K562 cells within 48 hours were tested by using Cell Counting Kit-8. The results show that there are significant increases in the cell viability of all the GRE groups compared with Control group within 32 hours. Furthermore, the growth curves of GRE groups were obviously distinct from each other. The cell viability of 5-year-old and 8-year-old GRE groups kept a rapid increase while that of 16-year-old GRE group showed a strong fluctuation within 28 hours. Our results demonstrate that root extracts from ginsengs of different ages contain different bioactivity constituents and have different effects on cell.

Dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract improves laying performance by altering serum metabolic profiles and gut bacteria in aged laying hens

The leaves of Eucommia ulmoides are rich in bioactive constituents that have potential gastrointestinal benefits for animals.In aged laying hens,intestinal health issues contribute to a significant decline in egg-laying capacity during intermediate and later stages.It remains unclear whether E.ulmoides leaf extract(ELE)can improve intestinal health and enhance egg production in elderly laying hens,and the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated.Therefore,we conducted a study with 480 laying hens(65 weeks old)randomly allocated into four groups:a control group fed with the basal diet,and three treatment groups supplemented with 500,1,000,and 2,000 mg/kg of ELE,respectively.The primary active constituents of ELE include flavonoids,polysaccharides,terpenoids,and phenolic acids.Dietary supplementation with ELE at 1,000 mg/kg(ELE1000)significantly improved laying performance and egg quality compared to the other groups.ELE1000 stimulated the maturation of intestinal epithelial cells,increased villus height,and reduced crypt depth.It also influenced the levels of proteins associated with tight junctions(claudin-1 and claudin-2)and intestinal inflammatory factors(IL-6,IL-1β,and IL-2)in different intestinal sections.Integrative analysis of serum metabolomics and gut microbiota revealed that ELE1000 improved nutrient metabolism by modulating amino acid and ubiquinone biosynthesis and influenced the abundance of intestinal microbiota by enriching pivotal genera such as Bacteroides and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group.We identified 15 metabolites significantly correlated with both gut microbiota and laying performance,e.g.,DL-methionine sulfoxide,THJ2201 N-valerate metabolite,tetracarbonic acid,etc.In conclusion,ELE1000 improved laying performance in elderly laying hens by affecting intestinal morphology,barrier function,microbiota,and serum metabolite profiles.These findings suggest that ELE can be a beneficial feed additive for extending the peak producing period in aged laying hens.

Anti-cancer activities of S-allylmercaptocysteine from aged garlic

While most types of malignancies remain recalcitrant to treatment, application of natural products or their analogs in daily life has offered some hopes as an effective prophylaxis against cancer onset and progression in the past decades. Emerging evidence supports a link between garlic consumption and decreased cancer incidence. Notably, aged garlic extract(AGE) exhibits stronger anti-cancer activities than that of fresh garlic, by virtue of enrichment of several AGE-specific organosulfur compounds, including S-allylmercaptocysteine(SAMC). In this review, we summarize the up-to-date mechanistic pathways associated with the anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic and pro-apoptotic effects of SAMC in various cancer models. Based upon the proven safety and improved understanding on its anti-neoplastic properties, SAMC has gained recognition as a promising daily food supplement for cancer prevention or management.